JP6184260B2 - Ink ribbon cassette - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink ribbon cassette mounted on a printer.

  A sublimation printer presses a recording medium such as paper and an ink ribbon with a thermal head and a platen roller, and energizes the thermal head to generate heat on the thermal head and sublimate the dye applied to the ink ribbon. Printing is performed by transferring to paper.

  The ink ribbon is configured so that a cylindrical supply bobbin and a take-up bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound are accommodated in the ink ribbon cassette so that the ink ribbon can be easily detached from the printer body. The take-up bobbin is held rotatably. When the ink ribbon cassette is installed in the printer body, the thermal head is positioned between the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin, and the thermal head is driven while pressing the thermal head against the platen roller with the ink ribbon and paper stacked. It is designed to print.

  Until the ink ribbon cassette is mounted on the printer body and used, vibration from the outside due to transportation or the like may be applied to the ink ribbon cassette. Due to the vibration applied to the ink ribbon cassette, the ink ribbon wound around the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin is loosened, and the ink ribbon is pulled out from the inside of the ink ribbon cassette. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cassette is not attached to the printer main body, it is necessary to prevent the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin in the ink ribbon cassette from rotating.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an ink ribbon cassette that regulates rotation of a supply bobbin and a take-up bobbin by engaging a recess provided on an end surface portion of a supply bobbin and a take-up bobbin with a protrusion on an inner wall of the ink ribbon cassette. ing. In Patent Document 1, rotation is regulated by energizing a supply bobbin and a take-up bobbin in an axial direction by a mold piece provided inside an ink ribbon cassette and engaging a concave portion and a convex portion. In use, the rotation restriction is released by elastically pressing the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin in the axial direction.

JP 2001-205881 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin are slid by a resin spring such as a mold piece, the capacity of the ink ribbon wound around the bobbin is large and the weight is increased. Will increase the load applied to the resin spring. Therefore, the resin spring is easily damaged or deformed, and a problem arises that a mold having high strength is required.

  Further, since the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin around which the ink ribbon is wound are slid and moved, wrinkles are generated in the ink ribbon, which may affect the printing.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is an ink ribbon cassette capable of regulating the rotation of a supply bobbin and a take-up bobbin in order to prevent loose winding of the ink ribbon, and further includes a supply bobbin An object of the present invention is to provide an ink ribbon cassette that can regulate the rotation of the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin without moving the take-up bobbin in the direction of the rotation axis.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the ink ribbon cassette of the present invention is
A supply bobbin around which an ink ribbon is wound, a take-up bobbin for winding up the ink ribbon supplied from the supply bobbin, and a support bobbin and the take-up bobbin for supporting the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin in a substantially parallel and rotatable manner. An elastic engagement portion that restricts rotation of the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin by engaging the housing with a rotation restriction portion of the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin, the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin An elastic engagement portion capable of elastic deformation in the rotation axis direction of the bobbin, and an opening for projecting the tip of the elastic engagement portion to the outside of the housing. The elastic engagement portion is formed integrally with the housing, and rises from the surface of the housing forming the storage portion for storing the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin to the inside of the storage portion. The opening is provided on the surface of the storage portion that faces the surface of the storage portion on which the elastic engagement portion rises and faces the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ink ribbon cassette that can regulate the rotation of the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin without moving the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin in the rotation axis direction.

The perspective view which showed the whole printer main body 100 and the ink ribbon cassette 200 Perspective view of ink ribbon cassette 200 An exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette 200 Perspective view of supply bobbin 205 (winding bobbin 207) Perspective view of upper case 201 Top view when the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 are assembled in the upper case 201 Side view of printer main body 100 Side view of printer main body 100 Sectional drawing explaining operation | movement when loading the ink ribbon cassette 200 in the printer main body 100 Cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon cassette 200 Side view and sectional view when ink ribbon cassette 200 is on floor surface 400 Sectional drawing for demonstrating the printing operation of the printer main body 100 Sectional drawing for demonstrating the printing operation of the printer main body 100 Sectional drawing for demonstrating the printing operation of the printer main body 100 The perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette 200 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view of the upper case 201 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the ink ribbon cassette 200 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a printer main body and an ink ribbon cassette according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire printer body and ink ribbon cassette according to the present embodiment.

  Reference numeral 100 denotes a printer main body, 200 denotes an ink ribbon cassette, and 300 denotes a paper tray. An ink ribbon cassette insertion port 101 is provided on the side surface of the printer main body 100 so that the ink ribbon cassette 200 can be mounted. The ink ribbon cassette 200 is detachable in the direction of arrow A. An arrow A is a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 housed in the ink ribbon cassette 200. Reference numeral 105 denotes a lid for the ink ribbon cassette insertion slot 101, which is rotatably attached to be openable and closable.

  A front side of the printer main body 100 has a paper tray insertion slot 102 for allowing the paper tray 300 to be mounted. The paper tray 300 is detachable in the direction of arrow B.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a display unit, and 104 denotes an operation unit, which are arranged on the top surface of the printer main body 100. The display unit 103 includes display means such as an LCD, displays an image to be printed, image processing information, and the like on the display unit 103, selects an image by operating the operation unit 104, processes the image appropriately, and prints it. be able to.

  2 is a perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette 200, FIG. 2A is a perspective view when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is viewed from the top surface, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is viewed from the bottom surface. It is. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette, FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the first lower case 202 and the second lower case 203, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the supply bobbin (winding bobbin). .

  The housing portion of the ink ribbon cassette 200 includes an upper case 201, a first lower case 202, and a second lower case 203 as shown in FIGS. The upper case 201, the first lower case 202, and the second lower case 203 are made of resin.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3B, the first lower case 202 is composed of a first bottom surface 202a and a first side wall 202b. The first side wall 202b has a convex shape that forms part of the side surface of the ink ribbon cassette 200 that is a surface that is substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the bobbin. A first corner 202c is provided on the opposite side of the first side wall 202b.

  Similarly, the second lower case 203 includes a second bottom surface 203a and a second side wall 203b. The second side wall 203b is a side surface of the ink ribbon cassette 200 that is a surface that is substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis of the bobbin. It forms a part and has a convex shape. A second corner 203c is provided on the opposite side of the second side wall 203b.

  The ink ribbon cassette 200 includes a supply bobbin storage unit 206 that stores a supply bobbin 205 that supplies the ink ribbon 204, and a winding bobbin storage unit 208 that stores a winding bobbin 207 that winds up the ink ribbon 204. The supply bobbin storage unit 206 and the take-up bobbin storage unit 208 are connected to each other at both ends by a connection unit 209 and arranged so that their rotation axes are parallel to each other at a predetermined interval.

  Here, the first bottom surface 202 a of the first lower case 202 and the second bottom surface 203 a of the second lower case 203 are provided substantially parallel to the rotation axes of the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207. It is a surface. The first side wall 202b of the first lower case 202 and the second side wall 203b of the second lower case 203 are surfaces substantially orthogonal to the rotation axes of the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the first lower case 202 includes a supply bobbin storage portion 206, and a supply bobbin bearing portion 210 that rotatably supports the supply bobbin 205 inside the supply bobbin storage portion 206. It has. The first lower case 202 includes a pair of engaging claws 211a and 211b at both ends in order to engage with the upper case 201. The second lower case 203 includes a take-up bobbin storage portion 208, and a take-up bobbin bearing portion 212 that rotatably supports the take-up bobbin 207 inside the take-up bobbin storage portion 208. The second lower case 203 is provided with a pair of engaging claws 213a and 213b at both ends in order to engage with the upper case 201.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 4 (a), and 4 (b), the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 have the same shape and are made of resin. The supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 include cylindrical base portions 205a and 207a provided at the center, small diameter portions 205b and 207b provided at one end of the base portions 205a and 207a, and a large diameter portion provided at the other end, respectively. 205c and 207c. The small diameter portions 205b and 207b are rotatably held by the supply bobbin bearing portion 210 of the first lower case 202 and the take-up bobbin bearing portion 212 of the second lower case 203, respectively, and the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 rotate. It is held freely.

  First flange portions 205d and 207d are provided at the boundary between the small diameter portions 205b and 207b and the base portions 205a and 207a, and second flange portions 205e and 207e are provided at the boundary between the large diameter portions 205c and 207c and the base portions 205a and 207a. Yes. A plurality of convex rotation restricting portions 205f and 207f are formed on the outer surfaces of the first flange portions 205d and 207d, respectively, and are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the shaft.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the ink ribbon 204 is wound between the first flange portion 205d and the second flange portion 205e.

  Convex portions 205g and 207g are provided on the inner wall surfaces of the large-diameter portions 205c and 207c, and engage with a bobbin rotation driving unit (not shown) provided in the printer main body 100 to rotationally drive the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207. can do.

  5A is a perspective view of the upper case 201, FIG. 5B is a partially enlarged view of the upper case 201, and FIG. 6 is an upper surface when the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 are assembled in the upper case 201. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, elastic engagement pieces 214 a and 214 b are integrally formed from the inner wall portion of the upper case 201. The elastic engagement pieces 214a and 214b have substantially the same shape. In FIG. 5B, the elastic engagement piece 214a is described. However, since 214b having substantially the same shape has the same shape, reference numerals corresponding to 214b are also indicated in parentheses.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the elastic engagement piece 214a (214b) includes an elastically deformable arm portion 215a (215b), an intermediate portion 216a (216b), an engagement portion 217a (217b), and a tip contact portion 218a. (218b). The arm portion 215a (215b) has a bifurcated shape, and a central space portion 219a (219b) is formed between the arm portions 215a (215b). The arm portion is provided with a first bent portion 226a (226b) and a second bent portion 227a (227b). By providing a plurality of bending points in this manner, the stress at the time of elastic deformation is distributed to the plurality of bending points, so that plastic deformation to a bent shape is suppressed. Further, by forming the bend, the length of the arm itself forming the beam becomes longer, and there is an effect that it is difficult to creep.

  The elastic engagement piece 214a (214b) has a symmetrical shape with the central space 219a (219b) as the center.

  The elastic engagement piece 214a (214b) is a part of the upper case 201, and is integrally molded with resin as a part of the upper case 201. The supply bobbin storage unit 206 (bobbin storage unit 206) is formed from an upper surface 206a (208a) that is a surface parallel to the axis of the supply bobbin 205 (winding bobbin 207), which forms the supply bobbin storage unit 206 (bobbin storage unit 208). 208), an elastic engagement piece 214a (214b) is formed in a state of rising substantially at a right angle. Therefore, when elastically deforming, the distal end contact portion 218a (218b) has a circular arc around the root portion 215a '(215b'), which is the portion of the arm portion 215a (215b) that extends from the upper surface 206a (208a). It will move like drawing.

  FIG. 2B shows a state in which the first lower case 202 and the second lower case 203 are assembled to the upper case 201. In this state, the tip contact portions 218a and 218b of the elastic engagement pieces 214a and 214b protrude from the openings 222 and 223 provided in the first lower case 202 and the second lower case 203, respectively. The openings 222 and 223 are arranged on one side surface of the ink ribbon cassette 200.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the supply bobbin 205 is assembled to the upper case 201, the small-diameter portion 205b that is the rotation shaft of the supply bobbin 205 enters the central space portion 219a. Similarly, when the take-up bobbin 207 is assembled to the upper case 201, the small-diameter portion 207b that is the rotation shaft of the take-up bobbin 207 enters the central space portion 219b. Then, the engaging portions 217a and 217b of the upper case 201 engage with the rotation restricting portions 205f and 207f provided on the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207, respectively, and restrict the rotation of the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207. To do.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, since the elastic engagement piece 214a has a bifurcated shape, the length of the elastic engagement piece 214a can be increased. Further, since the rotation axis of the supply bobbin 205 is arranged in the central space portion 219a between the bifurcated arm portions 215a, no matter which direction the supply bobbin 205 rotates, the rotation of the supply bobbin 205 can be prevented. The strength of the elastic engagement piece 214 can be maintained.

  FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the ink ribbon cassette insertion slot 101 of the printer main body 100.

  The ink ribbon cassette insertion slot 101 is provided with contact surfaces 110a and 110b with which the front end contact portions 218a and 218b of the ink ribbon cassette 200 come into contact when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100.

  FIG. 8 is a side view of the printer main body 100. FIG. 8A is a side view of the printer main body 100 when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is not loaded. FIG. 8B is a side view immediately before the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100. FIG. 8C is a side view of the printer main body 100 when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded.

  107 is a cassette lock, and 110a and 110b are contact surfaces. A cassette lock 107 is disposed in the ink ribbon cassette insertion port 101 and is configured to be movable from the position shown in FIG. 8A to the position shown in FIG. The cassette lock 107 is always urged downward, that is, in the direction in which the first side wall 202b and the tip contact portion 218a are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100, the cassette lock 107 is pushed up by the ink ribbon cassette 200. When the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100, as shown in FIG. 8C, the cassette lock 107 and the main body engaging portion 201a of the ink ribbon cassette 200 are engaged, and the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100. Maintained at.

  When taking out the ink ribbon cassette 200 from the printer main body 100, the ink ribbon cassette 200 can be taken out from the printer main body 100 by pushing up the cassette lock 107 from the lock position shown in FIG. 8C to the release position shown in FIG. 8B. it can.

  The contact surfaces 110a and 110b are surfaces on which the front end contact portions 218a and 218b of the ink ribbon cassette contact when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded in the printer main body 100.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view immediately before the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view after the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded in the printer main body 100. FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the printer main body 100 when an external force is applied to the elastic engagement piece 214a of the ink ribbon cassette 200. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in a state before the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded in the printer main body 100, the rotation restricting portion 205f of the supply bobbin 205 and the engaging portion 217a of the upper case 201 are engaged with each other. The rotation of the bobbin 205 is restricted.

  Next, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100, as shown in FIG. 9B, the tip contact portion 218a protruding from the opening 222 of the first lower case contacts the contact surface 110a of the printer main body 100. Touch. Therefore, the elastic engagement piece 214a is elastically deformed in the direction of arrow C (thrust direction) in the drawing, the engagement between the engagement portion 217a and the rotation restricting portion 205f of the supply bobbin 205 is released, and the supply bobbin 205 is rotatable. Become. Similarly, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100, the rotation restriction of the winding bobbin 207 is released.

  That is, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded into the printer main body 100, the rotation regulation of the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 is released, so that the ink ribbon 204 in the ink ribbon cassette 200 can be conveyed. Here, the arrow C direction is the thrust direction of the supply bobbin 205, that is, the rotation axis direction.

  In this way, in the state where the rotation restriction is released, the elastic engagement piece 214a is elastically deformed in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 9, so that the reaction force in the direction of arrow D in FIG. Occurs, and the ink ribbon cassette 200 is pushed upward. The outer shape of the ink ribbon cassette 200 is small with respect to the ink ribbon cassette insertion port 101 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the ink ribbon cassette 200 and the ink ribbon cassette insertion slot 101 have a gap. The contact surfaces 110a and 110b are provided on the lower side of the insertion port 101, the ink ribbon cassette 200 is provided on the upper side of the insertion port 101, that is, the contact surfaces 110a and 110b and the ink ribbon cassette 200 are provided on the opposite side of the insertion port 101. It has been. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is pushed upward (in the direction toward the cassette lock 107 of the printer main body 100), the main body engaging portion 201a of the ink ribbon cassette 200 approaches the cassette lock 107 of the printer main body 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the main body engaging portion 201a and the cassette lock 107 from being disengaged.

  In order to increase the component of the reaction force due to the elastic deformation of the elastic engagement piece 214a in the direction of the main body engagement portion 201a, the elastic engagement piece 214a and the main body engagement portion 201a are each formed in an oblique shape. It is in shape. For this reason, the tip contact portion 218a protrudes from the surface 202d while being inclined obliquely toward the side wall 202b. Increasing the component of the reaction force in the direction of the main body engaging portion 201a makes it easier for the main body engaging portion 201a to approach the cassette lock 107 and makes it difficult for the main body engaging portion 201a and the cassette lock 107 to be disengaged. The ink ribbon cassette lock is stable.

  FIG. 9C shows an elastic engagement piece 214a in a direction indicated by an arrow C in FIG. 9B from the position when an external force is generated in the elastic engagement piece 214a and loaded in the printer main body 100 shown in FIG. 9B. The case where 214a bends is shown. In this case, the first side wall 202b forming a part of the outer periphery of the opening 222 of the first lower case 202 abuts on the elastic engagement piece 214a. Since the first side wall 202b restricts excessive deformation of the elastic engagement piece 214a, damage and deformation of the elastic engagement piece 214a can be suppressed. Further, since the first side wall 202b protrudes from the surface 202d having the opening 222 of the first lower case 202, the first side wall 202b reliably contacts the tip contact portion 218a that also protrudes from the surface 202d. And since the 1st side wall 202b protrudes rather than the front-end | tip contact part 218a, the front-end | tip contact part 218a cannot move outside the 1st side wall 202b. Therefore, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded in the printer main body 100 and the lid 105 is closed, the tip contact portion 218a does not come into contact with the lid 105 and the lid cannot be closed.

  Further, in the state where the rotation restriction is described, the elastic engagement piece 214a includes the root portion 215a ′ extending from the upper case 201, the first bent portion 226a, and the second bent portion 227b, which is a total of three. Deforms with one bending point as the main starting point.

  When the elastic engagement piece 214a has a shape that extends only vertically from the upper case 201 without providing the first bent portion 220a and the second bent portion 221a, FIG. 9B and FIG. When subjected to deformation as in (c), the stress accompanying the deformation is concentrated at the root portion. On the other hand, in the elastic engagement piece 214a of this embodiment, the stress is dispersed at the three bending points, so that the plastic deformation to the bent shape is suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the opening 222 is arranged on the surface of the supply bobbin storage portion 206 that faces the surface on which the root portion 215 a ′ is provided and the surface facing the supply bobbin 205. Therefore, in the elastic engagement piece 214a, the length of the arm constituting the beam can be increased. Furthermore, since a plurality of bent portions are provided on the 215a ′ side from the position where the engaging portion 217a of the elastic engaging piece 214a is provided, the length of the arm constituting the beam can be further increased, and the creep is further improved. The effect is difficult.

  Although the rotation restricting mechanism on the supply bobbin 205 side has been described with reference to FIG. 9, the take-up bobbin 207 side has the same configuration.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon cassette 200.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when a rotational force is applied to the supply bobbin 205 from the outside, the rotation restricting portion 205f of the supply bobbin 205 and the engaging portion 217a of the upper case 201 are engaged, so that the elastic engagement piece 214a is indicated by an arrow in the figure. It swings in the direction E (the rotation direction of the supply bobbin 205). At this time, the swinging of the elastic engagement piece 214a is restricted by the side surface of the intermediate portion 216a coming into contact with the opening side wall 224 provided inside the opening 222 of the first lower case 202. Therefore, even when a large rotational force is applied to the supply bobbin 205 from the outside, the rotation of the supply bobbin 205 can be restricted to prevent the elastic engagement piece 214a from being damaged. In the present embodiment, the opening side wall 224 functions as a restricting portion of the elastic engagement piece for restricting deformation of the elastic engagement piece 214a in the rotation direction of the bobbin, but elastic engagement by other members. You may restrict | limit the movement to the rotation direction of the bobbin of the piece 214a.

  Similarly, when a rotational force is applied to the take-up bobbin 207 from the outside, the rotation restricting portion 207f of the take-up bobbin 207 and the engaging portion 217b of the upper case 201 are engaged, so that the elastic engagement piece 214b is indicated by an arrow F in the figure. Swings in the direction (the rotation direction of the winding bobbin 207). At this time, the swinging of the elastic engagement piece 214b is restricted by the side surface of the intermediate portion 216b coming into contact with the opening side wall 225 provided inside the opening 223 of the second lower case 203. Therefore, even when a large rotational force is applied to the winding bobbin 207 from the outside, the rotation of the winding bobbin 207 can be restricted.

  In the upper case 201, an engaged portion 220 that engages with the engaging claw portion 211b of the first lower case 202 is disposed outside the side surface of the elastic engagement piece 214a. Similarly, an engaged portion 221 that engages with the engaging claw portion 213b of the second lower case 203 is disposed on the outer side surface of the elastic engaging piece 214b. These engaging portions of the upper case 201 and the first lower case 202 and the engaging portions of the upper case 201 and the second lower case 203 are portions strengthened by the engagement. Therefore, even if the elastic engagement piece 214a is elastically deformed, the upper case 201, the first lower case 202, and the second lower case 203 are configured not to easily deform. That is, by disposing the engaging claws 211b and 213b and the engaged portions 220 and 221 in the vicinity of the elastic engaging pieces 214a and 214b, when the elastic engaging pieces are elastically deformed, the other portions are also deformed. It prevents that.

  FIG. 11A is a side view when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is on the floor surface 400, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is on the floor surface 400.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is placed on a flat floor surface 400, the first side wall 202b and the first corner 202c of the first lower case 202 are in contact with the floor surface 400. . The first side wall 202 b of the first lower case 202 is in contact with the floor surface 400, but the tip contact portion 218 a is not in contact with the floor surface 400. This is because the first side wall 202b of the first lower case 202 protrudes in the direction of arrow I (direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the supply bobbin 205) rather than the tip contact portion 218a. It is.

  When the first side wall 202b does not protrude from a surface parallel to the rotation axis of the supply bobbin 205 of the first lower case 202, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is placed on a flat surface such as the floor surface 400, the floor surface 400 is in contact with the front end. The part 218a comes into contact. Upon contact, the engagement portion 217a of the upper case 201 is elastically deformed by the weight of the ink ribbon cassette 200, the engagement between the rotation restriction portion 205f of the supply bobbin 205 and the engagement portion 217a is released, and the rotation restriction of the supply bobbin 205 is restricted. Will be canceled. When the rotation is released, the supply bobbin 205 can be freely rotated and the ink ribbon is loosened. If the ink ribbon is inserted into the ink ribbon cassette insertion slot 101 in a loose state, the ink ribbon is damaged or an error occurs in the printing operation. Therefore, in the ink ribbon cassette 200 of the present embodiment, in order to prevent the rotation restriction of the supply bobbin 205 from being released without the tip contact portion 218a coming into contact with the floor surface 400, such a first side wall 202b is provided. Provided.

  Further, since the ink ribbon cassette 200 is supported by the first side wall 202b and the first corner portion 202c, it is possible to suppress the first bottom surface 202a from contacting the floor surface 400. Therefore, foreign matters such as dust accumulated on the floor surface 400 can be prevented from adhering to the first bottom surface 202a.

  Similarly, in the second lower case 203, since the second side wall 203b and the second corner 203b are in contact with the floor surface 400, the leading end abutting portion 218b is not in contact with the floor surface 400, and the winding bobbin The rotation restriction 207 is not released. Further, since the ink ribbon cassette 200 is supported at the two points of the second side wall 203b and the first corner portion 203c, it is possible to suppress the second bottom surface 203b from contacting the floor surface 400. Therefore, foreign matter such as dust attached to the floor surface 400 can be prevented from attaching to the second bottom surface 203b. Although FIG. 11 illustrates the case where the ink ribbon cassette 200 is placed on the floor surface 400 as an example, the same applies to the case where the ink ribbon cassette 200 is placed not only on the floor surface 400 but also on another plane such as a desk.

  12 to 14 are cross-sectional views for explaining the printing operation of the printer main body 100. FIG.

  12A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in a standby state, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view showing a state when a sheet 301 is fed. FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the paper 301 is at the printing start position, and FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view showing a state before the start of printing. FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view showing a state during a printing operation, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view showing a state at the end of printing.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, 120 is a thermal head, 121 is a thermal head support arm, 122 is a heat sink, and 130 is a platen roller. The thermal head support arm 121 is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (not shown). The thermal head 120 is supported by the thermal head support arm 121 and can be rotated from the position shown in FIG. 12A to the position shown in FIG. 13B, and generates a pressure contact force with the platen roller 130. Can be made. The heat radiating plate 122 is attached to the thermal head 120, and is configured so that heat generated by the thermal head 120 can be transferred to the heat radiating plate 122. The platen roller 130 is rotatably disposed on the printer main body 100 and is configured to rotate in accordance with the conveyance of the paper 301.

  Reference numeral 131 denotes a conveying roller, and 132 denotes a driven roller. The transport roller 131 can be driven to rotate by a paper transport motor (not shown). The driven roller 132 is a driven roller facing the conveying roller 131 and is configured to rotate following the rotation of the conveying roller 131.

  Reference numeral 133 denotes a paper feed roller, and 134 denotes a paper discharge roller. The paper feed roller 133 can be driven to rotate by a paper feed drive motor (not shown). The paper discharge roller 134 is a driven roller that faces the paper feed roller 133 and is configured to rotate following the rotation of the paper feed roller 133.

  Reference numeral 150 denotes a paper guide which is lifted by the paper 301 at the time of paper feeding and is rotatably supported from the position shown in FIG. 12A to the position shown in FIG. Further, the sheet guide 150 is always urged downward and is in the position shown in FIG. Reference numeral 151 denotes a pressure plate that is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown) so as to be rotatable from the position shown in FIG. 12A to the position shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, the printing operation of the printer main body 100 will be described.

  When the ink ribbon cassette 200 is loaded from the ink ribbon cassette insertion port 101 of the printer main body 100, the contact surfaces 110a and 110b of the printer main body 100 and the front end contact portions 218a and 218b of the ink ribbon cassette 200 correspond to each other as shown in FIG. Touch. The elastic engagement pieces 214a and 214b bend to the position shown in FIG. 9B, whereby the engagement portions 217a and 217b of the ink ribbon cassette 200, the rotation restriction portion 205f of the supply bobbin 205, and the rotation restriction portion 207f of the take-up bobbin 207. Is disengaged. When the engagement is released, the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 can be rotated, and the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 can be rotated by a rotation drive mechanism (not shown) provided in the printer main body. .

  When the operation unit 104 is operated and a printing instruction is given, as shown in FIG. 12B, the pressure plate 151 is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown), and the paper 301 stored in the paper tray 300 is fed to the paper feed roller. 133 abuts. Then, the paper 301 is fed from the paper tray 300 by the paper feed roller 133 being rotated by a paper feed drive source (not shown). At this time, the leading edge of the sheet 301 comes into contact with the sheet separating unit 302, so that only one of the outermost sheets 301 can be separated and fed. Then, the sheet 301 is conveyed while pushing up the sheet guide 150.

  When the paper 301 is transported to the nip position between the transport roller 131 and the driven roller 132 shown in FIG. 12B, a paper transport motor (not shown) rotates to drive the transport roller 131. The transport roller 131 transports the paper 301 in the direction of arrow G in FIG. 12B so as to pass between the thermal head 120 and the platen roller 130.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13A, the sheet 301 is conveyed to the print start position while being in contact with and guided by the first bottom 202a of the ink ribbon cassette 200. When transported to the printing start position, yellow printing is first started in order to perform printing.

  First, the thermal head support arm 121 is rotated by a driving source (not shown), and the thermal head 120 is stopped at the printing position shown in FIG. 13B from the retracted position shown in FIG. 301 is pressed. Thereafter, the paper 301 is transported in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 13B by the transport roller 131, and the heating element of the thermal head 120 generates heat due to the print signal from the control device (not shown). The dye is thermally transferred to the paper 301 and yellow printing is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the sheet 301 during the printing operation is conveyed while the guide screen of the sheet 301 is in contact with and guided by the first bottom surface 202a and the second bottom surface 203a of the ink ribbon cassette 200.

  During the printing operation, the take-up bobbin 207 is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown), and the ink ribbon 204 is conveyed in the direction of arrow H in FIG. Since the ink ribbon 204 is transported while being in contact with the shaft 230 that is rotatably held by the ink ribbon cassette 200, the transport resistance of the ink ribbon 204 can be reduced, and defects such as wrinkles due to poor transport of the ink ribbon 204 can be achieved. Print defects can be prevented.

  When yellow printing is completed, a return operation is performed to perform the next magenta printing. First, the thermal head support arm 121 is rotated, the pressure contact between the thermal head 120 and the platen roller 130 is released, and the thermal head support arm 121 is stopped at the retracted position shown in FIG. By separating the thermal head 120 from the platen roller 130, the paper 301 and the ink ribbon 204 can be individually conveyed. Then, the paper 301 is transported in the direction of arrow G while being brought into contact with and guided by the first bottom surface 202a of the ink ribbon cassette 200 by the transport roller 131, and transported to the printing start position in FIG.

  At the same time, in order to start the next magenta printing, the take-up bobbin 207 is rotated so that the magenta printing start position of the ink ribbon 204 is aligned with the position facing the thermal head 120, and the ink ribbon 204 is removed from the supply bobbin 205. Pull out.

  When the paper 301 is transported to the printing start position and the magenta printing start position of the ink ribbon 204 is cueed, the return operation is completed and magenta printing is started.

  In the magenta printing, similarly to the above-described yellow printing, the thermal head support arm 121 is rotated by a driving source (not shown), the thermal head 120 is stopped at the position shown in FIG. 13B, and the paper 301 is printed by the thermal head 120 and the platen roller 130. And the ink ribbon 204 are pressed against each other. Thereafter, while the sheet 301 is conveyed in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 13B by the conveyance roller 131, the heating element of the thermal head 120 is heated by the print signal from the control device (not shown), and the magenta dye of the ink ribbon 204 is obtained. Is thermally transferred to the paper 301 to perform magenta printing.

  Thereafter, a return operation is performed in the same manner as after the yellow printing, and then a color image can be printed on the paper 301 by performing a cyan printing as in the yellow printing and the magenta printing.

  The printer main body 100 according to the present embodiment performs overcoat printing in order to reduce deterioration of an image printed on the paper 301 after performing three-color printing due to an external factor.

  Regarding the overcoat printing, similarly to the above-described yellow printing, first, a return operation is performed to transport the paper 301 to the printing start position. When the cueing and transport of the ink ribbon 204 to the overcoat printing start position is performed, the return operation is completed and overcoat printing is started.

  The overcoat printing is performed in the same manner as the yellow printing described above. First, the thermal head support arm 121 is rotated by a driving source to make the thermal head 120 stationary at the position of FIG. 13B, and the paper 301 and the ink ribbon 204 are pressed against each other by the thermal head 120 and the platen roller 130. Thereafter, while the sheet 301 is conveyed in the direction of arrow H in FIG. 13B by the conveyance roller 131, the heating element of the thermal head 120 is heated by the print signal from the control device (not shown) to overload the ink ribbon 204. The coat layer is thermally transferred to the paper 301.

  When the overcoat printing (transfer) is completed, the printer main body 100 rotationally drives the paper feed roller 133 to eject the paper 301, and the paper 301 is nipped by the paper feed roller 133 and the paper ejection roller 134 in the direction of arrow H. To the outside of the printer main body 100.

  Thus, in the printing operation of the printer main body 100, the first bottom surface 202a and the second bottom surface 203a of the ink ribbon cassette 200 become a part of the conveyance path of the paper 301. For this reason, if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the first bottom surface 202a and the second bottom surface 203a, foreign matter such as dust adheres to the printing screen of the paper 301 during the printing operation, and the dye is transferred to the paper 301. In some cases, color loss or the like may occur.

  However, as described above, the ink ribbon cassette 200 according to the present embodiment does not contact the first bottom surface 202a and the second bottom surface 203a with the floor surface 400 when the ink ribbon cassette 200 is placed on the floor surface 400, and foreign matter such as dust adheres thereto. Can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17.

  Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, only different portions will be described.

  15 is a perspective view of the ink ribbon cassette 200 in the second embodiment, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the upper case 201 in the second embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the ink ribbon cassette 200 in the second embodiment. 16 and 17 omit the elastic engagement pieces 214a and 214b for the sake of simplicity.

  In order to simplify the description, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are assigned to the same portions.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the ink ribbon cassette 200 has a first protrusion 201 b and a second protrusion 201 c on the side wall of the upper case 201. The upper case 201 has bearing portions 231 and 232 that pivotally support the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207 as shown in FIGS. The bearing portions 231 and 232 support the first convex portion 201 b and the second convex portion 201 c of the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207.

  Further, engaged portions 220 and 221 are provided in the vicinity of the first convex portion 201b and the second convex portion 201c bearing portions 231 and 232 engaging claw portions 211b and 213b of the upper case 201. The engaged portions 220 and 221 are engaged with the engagement claw portions 211b of the first lower case 202 and the engagement claw portions 213b of the second lower case 203, respectively, so that the ink ribbon cassette 200 is formed.

  Next, a case where the ink ribbon cassette is dropped will be described.

  When the ink ribbon cassette 200 falls in the direction of arrow I in the drawing, the bearing portions 231 and 232 that receive the weight of the ink ribbon and the convex portions 201b and 201c that contact the floor surface receive a large load. Therefore, when dropped, the engaging claw portions and the engaged portions provided in the vicinity of the bearing portions 231 and 232 and the convex portions 201b and 201c are also easily subjected to a load, and in particular, the engaging claw portions are deformed. Because of the easy configuration, the engagement is easily disengaged when a large load is applied. Therefore, the ink ribbon cassette according to the present embodiment is configured such that when it is dropped, the load applied to the engaging claw portion is reduced, and the engagement is not easily released.

  With reference to FIG. 17, the structure for making small the load concerning an engaging claw part when falling is demonstrated.

  When dropped, the first convex portion 201b and the second convex portion 201c of the upper case 201 come into contact with the floor surface. At this time, the load of the ink ribbon 204 is generated in the direction of the arrow I in the drawing on the bearing portions 231 and 232 supporting the convex portions 201b and 201c of the shafts of the supply bobbin 205 and the take-up bobbin 207. The load due to the ink ribbon 204 is transmitted to the first convex portion 201b and the second convex portion 201c provided on the same member as the bearing portions 231 and 232. Since the bearing portions 231 and 232 are provided on the upper case 201, it is possible to reduce the load generated on the engagement claw portion 211b of the first lower case 202 and the engagement claw portion 213b of the second lower case 203. .

  Further, when the ink ribbon cassette 200 falls, the first convex portion 201b and the second convex portion 201c come into contact with the floor surface and receive the load of the ink ribbon cassette. Since the first convex portion 201b and the second convex portion 201c are also provided in the upper case 201, the engaging claw portions 211b of the first lower case 202 and the engaging claw portions of the second lower case 203 are provided. The load generated in 213b can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the convex portions 201b and 201c and the bearing portions 231 and 232 that receive the load are provided in a case different from the case where the engaging claw portions 211b and 213b are provided. Therefore, the load generated in the engaging claws 211b and 213b can be reduced, and the engagement between the upper case 201, the first lower case 202, and the second lower case 203 can be suppressed.

(Other embodiments)
As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink ribbon cassette 200 is formed by engaging the upper case 201 with the first lower case 202 and the second lower case 203, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ink ribbon cassette 200 may be formed by the lower case integrally formed with the first lower case 202 and the second lower case 203 and the upper case 201.

Claims (5)

A supply bobbin wrapped with an ink ribbon;
A take-up bobbin for taking up the ink ribbon supplied from the supply bobbin;
A housing for supporting the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin so as to be substantially parallel and rotatable;
An elastic engagement portion that restricts rotation of the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin by engaging with a rotation restricting portion of the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin, and the rotation of the supply bobbin and the take-up bobbin An elastic engagement portion capable of elastic deformation in the axial direction;
The tip of the elastic engaging part, have a, an opening for protruding out of the housing,
The elastic engagement portion is formed integrally with the housing,
The elastic engagement portion is formed so as to rise from the surface forming the storage portion for storing the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin of the housing to the inside of the storage portion,
The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1, wherein the opening is provided on a surface of the storage unit that is opposed to a surface of the storage unit where the elastic engagement unit is raised through the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin . The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic engagement portion has a plurality of bent portions. The elastic engagement portion has a plurality of bent portions,
2. The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bent portions are provided closer to a base portion that rises from the storage portion than an engaging portion that engages with the rotation restricting portion. The elastic engagement portion has a bifurcated arm portion, and the space between the bifurcated shapes of the arm portion is arranged with the shaft of the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin,
The ink ribbon cassette according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of bent portions are provided on the arm portion. The elastic engagement portion has a bifurcated arm portion, and a shaft of the supply bobbin or the take-up bobbin is disposed in a space portion between the bifurcated shape of the arm portion. Item 2. An ink ribbon cassette according to Item 1 .

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